Ligustrum &#39;NCLX1&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘NCLX1’ is a new cultivar of privet with bright, yellow-colored foliage, compact form with dense branching habit, fragrant white flowers from late-May to June, and low-fertility with limited fruit set.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the novel plant variety disclosed herein is Ligustrum.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Ligustrum disclosed herein has been given thevarietal denomination ‘NCLX1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Ligustrum,hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NCLX1’. This new privetwas developed through a breeding program at North Carolina StateUniversity, Mills River, N.C. ‘NCLX1’ was selected from a population ofseedlings generated by hybridizing Ligustrum×vicaryi (unpatented) withLigustrum tschonoskii ‘Little Thomas’ (unpatented). The first asexualpropagation of ‘NCLX1’ was carried out in July 2010 by rooting stemcuttings at the North Carolina State University, Mountain HorticulturalCrops Research Station, Mills River, N.C. and ‘NCLX1’ has been asexuallyreproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings over a 3-year period.‘NCLX1’ roots readily from softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of2,500-5,000 ppm indole butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCLX1’has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under standardhorticultural practices at North Carolina State University, MountainHorticultural Crops Research Station, Mills River, N.C.

1. Bright, yellow-colored foliage.

2. Compact form with dense branching habit.

3. Fragrant white flowers from late-May to June.

4. Low-fertility with limited fruit set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new privet is illustrated by the accompanying photographs whichshow the plant's form, foliage and inflorescences. The colors shown areas true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the colorvalues cited in the detailed botanical description, which accuratelydescribe the colors of the new privet.

FIG. 1 shows the overall compact habit of a container-grown plant of‘NCLX1’.

FIG. 2 shows the yellow foliage color of ‘NCLX1’.

FIG. 3 shows the white flowers of ‘NCLX1’ and the compactness of theinflorescence.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘NCLX1’. The detailed description was taken on6-year-old plants growing in Mills River, N.C. in May 2014. All colorscited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2001 Edition). Wherespecific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given,it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations oraverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical name.—Ligustrum ‘NCLX1’.        -   Common name.—Privet.-   Parentage:    -   -   Ligustrum×vicaryi×Ligustrum tschonoskii ‘Little Thomas’.-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright to rounded with compact, dense            branching habit.        -   Height.—1.22-1.83 m at maturity.        -   Width.—1.22-1.83 m at maturity.-   Stem:    -   -   Immature stem texture.—Glabrous.        -   Immature stem color.—Yellow-green (144A) flushed with purple            (N77C).        -   Mature stem texture.—Glabrous, lenticelled.        -   Mature stem color.—Greyed-green (197A).        -   Lateral branch length.—Average 60 cm, range 30 to 100 cm.        -   Internode length.—Average 2 cm, range 1 to 5 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Persistence.—Deciduous.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—Average 3.2 cm, range 1.8 to 4.2 cm.        -   Width.—Average 1.8 cm, range 1 to 2.4 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptical to ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Emerging leaves.—Color: Upper and lower: Yellow-green (144A            to N144A). Texture: Glabrous.        -   Mature leaves during growing season.—Color: Upper:            Yellow-green (N144A). Lower: Yellow-green (145A). Venation:            Upper: Yellow-green (N144A). Lower: Yellow-green (N145).            Texture: Glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average 2.5 mm, range 1.0 to 3.5 mm. Width:            Average 0.7 mm, range 0.6 to 0.9 mm. Texture: Glabrous.            Color: Yellow-green (N144A).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Description.—Terminal panicle of racemes with multiple            flowers.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—30-50.        -   Flowering season.—late May to June.        -   Flower longevity.—10-14 days.        -   Fragrance.—Scented.        -   Inflorescence height.—Average 4 cm, range 2-6 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—Average 2.5 cm, range 2-3 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—Average 5.0 mm, range 4.0-6.0 mm.        -   Flower depth.—Average 6.0 mm, range 5.0-7.0 mm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: Less than 8.0 mm. Diameter: Less than            3.0 mm. Shape: Oblong. Color: White (155B).        -   Petals.—Quantity: Four per flower. Length: About 3.0 mm.            Width: About 2.0 mm. Shape: Oblong, recurved. Apex: Acute.            Base: Fused. Texture: Glabrous. Color: White (155B).        -   Sepals.—Quantity: Four per flower. Length: About 3.0 mm.            Width: About 1.5 mm. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Texture:            Glabrous. Color: Yellow-green (145A).        -   Peduncle.—Length: About 5.0 mm. Width: About 2.0 mm.            Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green (143C).        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 1.5 mm. Width: About 1.0 mm.            Texture: Glabrous. Color: Green (143C).-   Fruit:    -   -   Description.—Berry-like drupe.        -   Frequency.—Infrequent, very limited fruit set compared to            parental taxa.        -   Length.—About 7.0 mm. Width: About 5.0 mm. Shape: Oblong.            Texture: Glabrous.        -   Color.—Black (202A).-   Disease and insect resistance: No significant disease or insect    pests have been observed.-   Cold hardiness: At least USDA zone 6b; testing has not been    completed in colder zones.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL SPECIES

Table 1 shows key distinguishing characteristics between ‘NCLX1’ and itsparental taxa. ‘NCLX1’ is distinguished from Ligustrum×vicaryi in that‘NCLX1’ has more compact inflorescences, a more compact habit, and hasvery limited fruit production. ‘NCLX1’ is distinguished from Ligustrumtschonoskii ‘Little Thomas’ by having bright yellow mature leaf colorand later flowering time.

TABLE 1 Taxa Ligustrum Ligustrum tschnoskii Trait xvicaryi ‘LittleThomas’ Ligustrum ‘NCLX1’ Growth habit Vase-shaped, Rounded, spreadingUpright, somewhat rangy shrub compact shrub shrub Mature size 10-12′tall × 8-10′ 4-6′ tall × 6-8′ wide 4-6′ tall × 4-6′ wide wide Emergingfoliage Upper: Yellow- Upper and Lower: Upper and Lower: color green(N144A) Yellow-green Yellow-green (144A to Lower: Yellow- (144A) N144A)green (146D) Mature foliage color Upper and lower: Upper: Green Upper:Yellow-green Yellow-green (138A) (N144A) (151A) Lower: Yellow- Lower:Yellow-green green (146B) (145A) Flowering season Early to mid-June Mid-to late May Early to mid-June Number of flowers About 100, ranges About45, ranges About 35, ranges from per inflorescense from 50 to 180 from25 to 90 10 to 80 Inflorescence height About 6 cm, ranges About 4 cm,ranges About 4 cm, ranges from 4 to 7 cm from 2 to 6 cm from 2 to 6 cmFragrance Light, sweet Light, acrid Light, sweet fragrance fragrancefragrance Seed production Prolific Prolific Infrequent

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct privet plant named ‘NCLX1’substantially as illustrated and described herein.